Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1887-02-16
SUPEESTITIOUs WOMEN.
Some Queer Ideas That Peryade
Housekeeping Circles.

Women are always somewhat super-
sensitive about their work. There is
probably no point on which this super
sensitiyeneSs is more displayed than
that of housekeeping. To bs called \
slack" housekeeper stings woman to
the quick, no matter how deserved the
impeachment may be; yet the moment
woman knows that she is exciting
herself IN her housekeeping to do more
Than she otherwise would, fer fear that
'pe0ple will talk," that moment she
begins to endanger her whole theory of
life. 1t is this keeping house so as to
please society, and TO placate '.the
nelghbors." which is at the bottom of
much of the overwork and the belttling
of the mind which are the bane of
hoasekeepers.
Don't try to keep your house SO
clean," says clever writer, ''or else a
s.epmuther will bring up your chill
dren." This is simple but strong pre-
Sentatlon of the matter throws flood
of light upon it. 1t intimates that a
liousekeeper has duties besides keeping
house and paramount to that one.
a. hOuoIhCNpOi - "ilO. ~
wife, besides seeing that her husband
has clean rooms to i've i'll, well cooked
meals and neat clothes, should make
berself companion to him. His mind
is usually sharpsned by his activity in
business or professional life. She must
see TO IL that her own mind is kept as
sharp rs possible by reading and study.
She should try to remain, so far as her
efforts can go, what she probably was
In the days of their courtship-the
most interesting person in the world
for hlm to be with. Above all things,
she must keep herself well and strong.
or else good spirits, which are the most
charming attribute in either man or
woman, viii be lacking.
TIN she is usually mother. Her
children are full of questions. They
uesire her companionsnip and her con
versltion. Whose else can be 50 good
Tor them as hers? Size should see to it
that they have those in full measure
and of good quality.
She Is also Il member of some social
circle. The greatest work that woman
can do 10 improve the social fabric Is,
of course, in the home; but there are
many outside duties which no self
respecting woman should neglect, and
for which she should have portion of
her time and strength.
The keeping of the house, then, is
only one of several vocations OF the
houSekeeper, and subordinate TO those
of the wife, the mother and the social
being. That is 10 say, the keeping OF
the home in which family and friends
are TO be fed and sheltered is only a
means to the securing of their health
and happiness. Just as soon as woman
begins 10 think of the cleaning and
cooking as ends in themselves, and de-
votes herself to them to such an extent
that her usefulness in higher spheres Is
impaired, she is making a mistake
Keep the balance true. Remember
that the objects or our earthly toll are
10 keep our loved ones well and happy.
Relegate conversation about the
houseeold affairs 10 the background.
u2less the humorous side is uppermOs,.
see that good meats, plain and substan
tial, are served, no matter what clean
Ing or other work is going on. Do not
tire yourself oat with trying to do
double work IN day. By system this
can be avoided. Never mind what
''the neighbOrs" say. Keep continually
in mind that you are keeping house not
for the 81 le of keeping house, hut to
make home in which husband and
children and friends shsll thrive and re-
ioice continually.